INCREASING THE RESILIENCE OF COFFEE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS

Project Details

In rural Uganda, Shared Interest Foundation's passion fruit farming project has played an important role in supporting 365 coffee farmers, by offering them a means to diversify their income sources. This diversification has not only increased household resilience but has also led to improvements in their coffee production. 

Under the initiative, participating farmers underwent training in passion fruit farm management. Additionally, each farmer was provided with 50 passion fruit plants for intercropping on their coffee farms, as well as essential farming tools. Furthermore, training in Good Agricultural Practices, Climate Smart Agriculture and organic fertiliser production equipped farmers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage their coffee farms.

The project also delivered training in Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Management. This resulted in the formation of 10 savings groups, with a total of 151 active members, with women constituting 70% of the membership. Each group member contributes on a weekly basis and between February and May 2023, a sum of £1,638 was disbursed in the form of loans.

Project Impacts

In May 2025, a final evaluation was conducted to measure the impact over the past four years and assess the sustainability of this project. 

Key findings included:

• 99% of farmers surveyed (187) are still farming passion fruits. Two farmers reported they are no longer producing passion fruits due to the poor health of their farms.
• The average income from the farmers earned from the sale of passion fruits in 2024 was 1,922,364 UGX (£395), compared with £263 at the end of year two.
• 40% (68) of farmers surveyed have processed their passion fruits into juice which they have also sold on the local market for additional income.
• With the income earned, 84% of farmers (158) have reinvested to expand their farm planting a total of 18,331 new passion fruit plants (average of 112 per farmer surveyed).
• Since being trained in Good Agricultural Practices and Climate Smart Farming methods, 97% (184) have planted new coffee trees and 99% (187) of farmers are satisfied with their production, compared to only 7% that were satisfied at the start of this project.
• 94% of farmers (178) have reported an overall increase in household income. With the additional income they have been able to pay for school fees, purchase household food and make improvements to their home and purchase agri-inputs. Three farmers reported they have established a new business to further diversify their income streams.

Feedback from a project participant:

“The project has helped me obtain a second income in addition to coffee. I am able to cater for my basic needs. For example, I am able to pay school fees for my children, take care of other needs at home such as buying salt, soap and drinking juice as I wait for coffee to mature for sale.”

Support our work

We hope you enjoyed learning about this Shared Interest Foundation project.

Since 2004, thanks to our incredible supporters, Shared Interest Foundation has delivered 51 projects in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. 

Support the Foundation's work today and help to build a fairer world for the future.

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to speak with a member of the Foundation team via email here